Automatic instant video replay apparatus system for sporting

ABSTRACT

An automatic instant video replay apparatus system for sporting, which relates to a computerized video recording and automatic instant replay apparatus system, can be used for providing instant video visualization of a golfer&#39;s swing at home, at golf driving ranges, and at outdoor natural grass, and for other sport activities.

BACKGORUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the application of a computer, cameras,and image analyzing technology for a video recording and automaticinstant video replay apparatus system of a golfer's swing or othersporting activities, and the application of the apparatus for thegolfer's swing practice at home, at golf driving ranges, and at outdoornatural grass, or for other spoilt activities.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. According torecent statistics released by the Department of Commerce of the USA,there are 23 million occasional or frequent golfers in the USA.Moreover, there is a trend of gradual decreasing age with these golfers.The golf is also one of the most difficult sports recognized by thepeople of the world to learn. In terms of the quantity and the types oflearning materials, apparatuses, or equipment, the golf is second tonone among the world's sports. The golf swing motion requires theaccurate coordination of different body parts (such as hands, elbows,alms, shoulders, waists, hips, thighs, legs, feet, heads, and necks) intime, force, and movement so as to produce good impact at golf balls.However, as the golfer cannot see his own bodily golf swing motion(without the assistance of any equipment, the golfer can only see apartial vision of his golf swing motion of the hands, feet, andabdomen.) Consequently, there are a lot of difficulties in learning it.To overcome these difficulties, some golfers place one or severalupright mirrors on the floor or walls indoors so as to assist themselvesin observing their own swing movements. Moreover, some other golfersrecord their own swing movements by means of a portable camera supportedon a tripod (or a camera operated by the others.) To facilitatesubsequent evaluation, generally speaking, a full-set of computerizedswing-analyzing apparatus is always installed in some well-establishedgolf-learning schools. This type of apparatus generally includescomputers, one or several cameras, image analyzing software, and graphicsoftware, which can record the swing images of the golfers at severalangles under the operation of one or several persons. After the imageshave been subject to digital transformation, they are stored in thememory of the computer, then replayed from the memory, and subsequentlyare subject to further image analysis of each image frame by means ofgraphic software. Finally, the results of the analysis are interpretedand illustrated by the trainer. Some of these swing practice accessoryequipment cannot provide whole-body images (such as upright mirrors),and others require the assistance of the others in the operation (suchas computers and several cameras). Their greatest common disadvantage isthe inability to replay the swing movement instantly. In the cases ofportable cameras, after having recorded a pair of the swing motion, itis necessary to press keys such as the “Rewind” key and the “Replay” keyon the cameras so as to see the pre-recorded swing movement. Similarly,the functions of the computerized swing analyzing equipment in thegolf-learning schools have to be operated by golfers or the third partyso as to replay the pre-recorded images. To alleviate the burden causedby the repetition of these complicated operations, most of the golfersor trainers will record several swing movements (such as five to tenmovements) at one time, then replay and analyze these movements.

In Europe and America, there is a swing-analyzing equipment calledtheMotionCoach™ (the company web-site at http://motioncoach.com; thecompany name is Mediavention Inc., which is a company registered inGuelph, Ontario. Canada), which is widely used in a lot of golf-learningschools. This equipment can be set up by the users to record, replay,and pause motions in an automatic manner. For example, the users canprogram to record the motions for five minutes, replay the motions forfive minutes, and then pause the motions for one minute. Although thisequipment can obviate the above-mentioned complicated key-pressingoperations, it cannot instantly and automatically replay the imagesright after the ball impact of each swing. In terms of the efficiency ofswing video training tools, a single complete swing motion (startingfrom the address, back swing, down swing, ball hitting, tofollow-through, which generally lasts approximately 3˜6 seconds) is themost basic step and the most suitable cycle unit for recording andreplay analysis. For the golfers or the trainers, they can all analyzethe merits and shortcomings of the swing motion right after each swingwith the objective that the merits can be enhanced and the shortcomingscan be got rid of in their next swing. In general it is not necessary torecord and replay the scenes of body movements in between two swingmotions, the mis-hit, or those unrelated to golf swings. Consequently,there is a need for an apparatus capable of instantly and automaticallyrecording and replaying the images whenever the swing motion has beenmade so as to assist the golfers in self-practice or practice under theguidance of trainers to increase learning effects. The U.S. Pat. No.5,342,054 has already disclosed the application of computers, aplurality of color image cameras, an infra-red (IR) camera, and aninfrared flash lamp (which is a group of optical sensors). Thisinvention applies infrared cameras and image analysis to detect whetherthe golfer has already placed the golf ball on the golf hitting mat, andthen turn on the photodetector sensor array to determine the time spotat which the golf club strikes at the hitting area, and within thisperiod, a series of club head images are photographed by the infraredcameras and the infrared flash lamp so as to calculate the speed of theclub heads. Although in this cited invention, the golfer can replay theimages after the swing has been made, it needs at least two cameras (oneof them is an expensive infrared camera), an infrared flash lamp, and aphotodetector sensor array. The users of the cited invention should atleast press a key for instant video replay. Also, the core technology ofthe cited invention relies on detecting whether the golf ball has beenplaced in the hitting area. Obviously, the technology disclosed in thecited invention differs from the present application in many ways.First, the present invention requires a minimum of one camera withoutkey pressing for video replay. The cited patent needs at least twocameras and the users must press at least one button for video replaySecondly, on the image analyzing technology (please refer to thefollowing illustration), the present application determines whether thegolf ball has been hit, while the cited patent detects whether the ballis placed on the hitting mat. Another U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,483 hasalready disclosed the application of two optic sensors, two high-speedCCD cameras, and one control unit to record the characteristics (speedof the ball, impact angle, and amount of backspin) of the golf ball whenthe golf ball is hit and then calculate the carry and the trajectory.The cited invention detects the impact time by means of optic sensorsand then starts the CCD cameras based on this impact time, but norelated technology in connection with instant replay of the swing motionhas been mentioned in the cited invention. The present invention isintended to provide an apparatus capable of recording, storing, andinstantly automatically replaying and the method thereof, and then applythe technology in the golfer's swing practice at home, at golf drivingranges, and at outdoor natural grass, and for other sport activities.

In order to rectify the above-mentioned disadvantages inherent to theconventional techniques, the inventor has endeavored for years bycontinuous research and experimentation attempting to find out theremedies for such disadvantages, and at last has succeeded in realizingthe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As the above-mentioned disadvantages are inherent in the conventionalgolf swing accessory equipment, the present invention is intended toprovide an apparatus capable of recording, storing, and instant andautomatic replaying of the golfer's motions by means of image technologyto be used in the golfer's swing practice at home, at golf drivingranges, and at outdoor natural grass, and for other spoilt activities.

Unlike the common computerized swing analyzing equipment, the instantautomatic image video replay apparatus of the present invention iscomposed of computers, one or a plurality of cameras, image analyzingsoftware, and graphic software so that it can first record the swingimages of the golfer at different angles under the operation of oneperson or several persons and then the images are subject to digitaltransformation, stored in the memory of the computer and subsequentlyreplayed from the memory These images are later subject to furtherindividual image frame analysis by means of graphic software. In thisway, this can assist the golfer in self-practice or practice under theinstruction of trainers so as to increase the learning effectiveness,which is an object of the present invention.

The instant automatic image video replay apparatus of the presentinvention also does not need to be constructed from a lot of expensiveequipment, unlike the above-mentioned computerized swing-analyzingequipment. Hence, this can allow people to have an apparatus of betterfunctions and effects at a lower price, which is another object of thepresent invention.

The instant automatic image video replay apparatus of the presentinvention does not need a plurality of cameras (and even extremelyexpensive infrared cameras), and only one camera is required to achievethe function. Moreover, the users do not need to press any key toachieve the function of replaying after the recording has been made.Moreover, its operations become even simpler, which is another object ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a full view of a better embodiment of the apparatus system ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front and side image view of the frame of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the mirror mode of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the automatic replay of the swing image whenthe present application has been applied in golf.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the image frame analyzing technology of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the five functional keys of the apparatussystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of the hitting area at which the golfball is placed (and golf mat) when the present application is applied ingolf.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the automatic image replay system of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMNTS

The object of the present invention is to provide the sport circles witha multiple-angle video recording and automatic instant video replaysystem that meet the imminent needs of the spoilt circles. For a clearerexplanation, the golf is taken as an example here, and the applicationof the apparatus in the other sports will be explained later. In itsbroadest sense, the apparatus of the present invention includes one or aplurality of cameras so as to catch one-angle or multiple-angle imagesof the swing motion of the golfer; analogical image data is digitalizedand then stored and the results are subsequently used to determinewhether the ball has been hit by means of an image processing, analyzingand storing system; a frame display instantly displays or replays theswing motion of the golfer on the frame; and a control keyboard tomonitor the entire apparatus system. Likewise, taking the indoor golfswing practice as an example, as shown in FIG. 1, an artificial greengolf mat (11) has been installed on a hitting area at the front of whicha golfer (12) stands and gets ready for the swing motion, and thenplaces a golf ball (13) on top of the golf mat (13) (with a tee ordirectly on the golf mat); later, when the golfer raises the golf clubto hit the golf ball, which falls inside a net (14) after the ball hasbeen hit.

A host (15), a control panel (16), and a frame display (17) provided bythe present invention can be placed at the back of the artificial golfmat to facilitate front viewing and operation of the golfer.

A front camera (18) provided by the present invention can also be placedtogether with the computer on the same frame and then connected to thecomputer by means of a socket (generally speaking, USB 1394 in seriesparallel or parallel) provided by the computer.

After a side camera (19) provided by the present invention is connectedto the computer by means of a socket, it can be moved by the golfer tothe required position, but the commonly used position is the backside ofthe golfer (as shown in FIG. 1) so as to record the side body motion ofthe golfer. After a variety of apparatus system has been connected tothe power source, the computer has been turned on to execute the mainprogramme, and the front view and side image view (as shown in FIG. 2)of the golfer can instantly be displayed on the frame and then bearranged on the top and the bottom (or leftward and rightward). At thattime, the function of the present invention is to provide a real-timefront side image view just like the image shown by a two-face mirror. Atthat time, the golfer can warm up for trial swing motion, and thecomputer system can only provide the function of a “mirror” (which willbe explained later). After the golfer has placed the golf ball on thegolf mat, and it is only until the ball has been hit, the system of thepresent invention only provides the function of a “mirror”. It is onlywhen the ball has been hit beyond the golf mat (or beyond the hittingarea), and the system has confirmed that the ball has been bit throughimage analysis (which will be explained later), the swing image(generally speaking, approximately 1.5 to 3 seconds composing of clubgripping, back swinging and down swinging) recorded before the ball hasbeen hit and the swing images (generally speaking, approximately 1.5 to3 seconds, composing of ball hitting, post-hit launch, andfollow-through) remaining after the ball has been hit have beenretrieved from the memory and then displayed on the front frame. Afterthe previous swing motion has been replayed, the system returns to the“mirror” mode of the original swing motion until the next ball will behit and replayed once again. The above-mentioned is the description ofthe basic functions of the automatic video replay system of the presentinvention.

The above-mentioned “mirror” mode and the operation of the computerizedimage system are shown in FIG. 3. Basically, turn on the apparatus andstart the frame window and then start the port of the camera. Later thecomputer software and hardware will transform the images at the frontand side camera into analog and instantly display them on the frame andstore the digitalized images into the memory (generally speaking RAM orharddisk, but the speed for retrieval and storing of the RAM is better).The RAM can be partitioned into a region (with a capacity of storing oneor several complete swing motions) for storing images. When the RAM ofthis region is full, the information first stored will be replaced bynew image information. The information storing and processing procedurefollows this cycle. The above-mentioned image analysis determineswhether the ball has been hit and the automatic video replay functionproceeds as shown in FIG. 4. Basically, computer software systemperiodically (every 0.2 second) extracts one frame from the updateddigitalized images and then analyzes it (which will be explained later)to determine whether the golf ball has been placed in the hitting area.If the ball has not yet been placed into the hitting area, thenmonitoring continues until the ball has been found to be placed in thehitting area. At that time, the computer system is set periodically (atevery 0.2 second per section) again to extract the frame and analyze itto determine whether the ball has disappeared from the hitting area (orthe golf mat). If the ball still remains in the hitting area, thenmonitoring continues until the ball has been found to hit. Once the ballhas been found to hit, then the computer system instantly retrieves theimage information (approximately 1.5 second to 3.0 seconds, set by theusers on their own according to the speed of the swing motion, whichwill be explained later) before the ball is hit and the imageinformation (approximately 1.5 second to 3.0 seconds, to be explainedlater) after the ball has been hit from the RAM, automatically replaysthem on the frame and then restores them to original “mirror” mode.

The software flow chart of the above-mentioned image frame analyzingtechnology is shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates how to determinewhether the ball has hit at the hitting area. Basically the computersoftware defines the specific area in the lower part of the image frameas “the hitting area” (its size can be larger or smaller than the sizeof the golf mat). Inside the area, the color parameters of every pixelhave a fixed value respectively. The color parameters can be dividedinto the RGB (Red, Green and Blue) mode, the grayscale mode, and the HSBmode (equivalent to the Hue, the Saturation, and the Brightnessrespectively) in accordance with international standards. The inventorfinds that regardless of the color used, the color of the golf ball canbe differentiated from the color of the golf mat (and its nearby floor).For example, in terms of the RGB mode, for the white golf ball, the Rvalue ranges from 180 to 220; the G value ranges from 180 to 220; the Bvalue ranges from 180 to 220; for the green golf mat, the R value rangesfrom 15 to 20; the G value ranges from 25 to 50; the B value ranges from5 to 20. Consequently, image-analyzing software can determine whetherthese values exceed a fixed value of the white pixel based on thesevalues so as to confirm if the ball has already been placed. This fixedvalue is related to the size of the golf ball, the type and the positionof cameras used, and the size of image frame, but in general, it liesbetween 5 and 30. Likewise, if the grayscale is used, then the whitegolf ball approaches to a brightness value of 0˜10% (0% means white),whereas a brightness value of 0 to 10% (0% means the white color), andthe brightness of the green golf mat is 70%˜90% (100% means the blackcolor). Consequently, the image analyzing software can determine whetherthe ball has been placed based on the difference in brightness. If theHSB mode is used, then the H value of the white golf ball is 280˜320°;the S value is 2˜10%; the B value is 75˜90%; the H value of the greengolf mat is 280˜320°; S value is 50˜80%; the B value is 10˜20%. The sameanalogy can also be applied for the above-mentioned judgment. Ingeneral, the range of the RGB value of the cement floor is 160˜180,150˜170, and 130˜160 respectively. The brightness value of the graylevelis 25˜35%; the HSB value is 10˜30°, 5˜20%, and 60˜70% respectively.Consequently, the green golf mat can be differentiated from the whitegolf ball.

FIG. 5 can also be used to determine whether the ball has already beenhit beyond the hitting area (or the golf mat.) After the above-mentionedimage analyzing software has already confirmed that the ball has alreadybeen placed in the hitting area, the computerized analyzing softwarecontinues to monitor the total white pixel periodically, and when themajority of the white pixels (for example more than 60% of the original)suddenly disappear from the hitting area (or the golf mat), theanalyzing software can determine if the ball has already been hit beyondthe hitting area and then proceed to automatic instant replay.

Until the above-mentioned, the main difference between the systemdisclosed in the present invention and the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No.5,342,034 lies in the fact that the present invention applies a visibleray image analysis of a low-priced CCD camera to determine whether thegolfer has already swung the golf club, whereas the cited US patentapplies the infrared ray image data of an expensive infrared camera foranalysis. Moreover, the main difference between the present inventionand the cited invention is that the present invention uses ball hittingas the trigger point for starting the automatic replay. However, thedisadvantage of the cited US patent is that a lot of golfers are used toplace the ball in the hitting area but they do not hurry to swing thegolf club, thereby causing an early start of the camera, overflow ofimages in the storage area, and the recording of the non-swing frame.Furthermore, the users of the cited US patent need to press at least onekey for instant replay. However, no key pressing is required for instantreplay in the present invention.

The above-mentioned swing speed and time settings are primarily adjustedbased on the swing properties of different golfers. For example, somepeople are slow in back swinging but fast in down swinging, whereas someother people are slow or fast both in back swinging and in downswinging. The technology disclosed in the present invention takes ballhitting as the reference point and allows the golfers to set the pre-hitswing time (generally ranging from approximately 1.5 to 3 seconds) andthe post-hit swing time (generally ranging from approximately 1.5 to 3seconds). If the golfers do not change the settings in the settingwindow of the software, then the default settings (for example, 2seconds for the pre-hit swing time; 2 seconds for the post-hit swingtime) are taken as the standard. To make the technology disclosed in thepresent application more applicable, no-manual operation, automatic“mirror” mode and replay function are installed. Moreover, additionalfive function keys (except the Start/Power key) are provided as shown inFIG. 7. Among them, the first key is the “Instant Replay” key 61 whichallows the users to replay the swing motion remaining in the previousrepetitive viewing; the second “Slow Replay” key 62 allows the users torepeat viewing the previously recorded swing motion in slow motion(which will be explained later); the third “Save Swing” key 63 allowsthe users to press the key and then start the computer to store thesubsequent swing image data into the hard disk (or other RAMs) forviewing them in the future; that storing function will continue untilthe key is pressed again; the fourth “Play Fast” key 64 allows the usersto retrieve the swing motion that has already been stored in the harddisk (or other RAMs) for repetitive viewing; the fifth “Create CD” key65 allows the users to burn the swing image data previously stored inthe hard disk into CD for repetitive viewing by the golfer or the other(such as the trainer), or being plugged into the other computer (or VCDor DVD) so that the users transmit the swing image to the third party(such as the coach in the golf school) for analysis via computer or theInternet. The speed of the replay function of the above-mentioned twokeys, namely, the “Instant Replay” and the “slow replay”, can be set andadjusted by the users. For example, the default settings of the “InstantReplay” key for replay speed can be the original swing speed(approximately ranging from 3 to 6 seconds for the replay of onecomplete swing motion), but the users can set the settings (such as 50%of the original swing speed). Likewise, the default settings of the“Slow Replay” can be one third of the original swing speed (ranging fromapproximately 9 to 18 seconds), but the users can set the settings (suchas one fifth of the original swing speed.) Moreover, if the two keys arepressed during the replay, then image freezes. If the keys are pressedagain, then replay continues. The above-mentioned settings and theabove-mentioned swing time settings can be set by pressing a key (exceptthe Start/Power key) to enter the settings window of the software.

The system disclosed by the present invention can be applied both in theindoor golf (golf mat) practice and outdoor grasslands. The differencebetween them is that for indoor practice, the hitting area of the whitegolf ball is the golf mat (or an area covering a larger or smaller golfmat) whereas for outdoor practice, there is no specific ball-placingarea or ball-hitting area. However, because the color of natural grass(green or pale green), the color of mud (yellowish), the color of shrubs(gray or brown), and the color of pebbles (gray or brown) all differfrom the white color of the white golf ball, the technology disclosed inthe present invention can determine whether the ball has been placed andthe ball has been hit by means of the above-mentioned image analyzingsoftware so as to activate the instant replay function. To furtherprevent the interference of foreign colors (such as the color of thewhite golfer's shoes or socks) on the color analysis procedure of theimage, the present invention can separately provide a rectangular (orother shaped) border on the lower region of the frame as shown in FIG. 7and then request the golfer to place the golf ball (and the golf mat)inside the frame, so that the rectangular border will only be displayedin the “mirror” mode. Moreover, its image will not be stored in thememory of the computer. Because there is a certain distance andgeometric relationship between the golfer and the computer screen, thegolfer's body or clothes will not be displayed in the border, therebyreducing the interference from foreign colors.

The inventor also finds that the system disclosed in the presentinvention can be applied to the other sports that requires instant imagereplay such as the tennis service practice. As the tennis ball isgreenish yellow in color and the tennis racket (mostly black or silver;the tennis player should avoid using a yellowish green racket) and theplayer's skin and clothes (the player should avoid wearing yellowishgreen clothes) for being differentiated from the tennis ball.Consequently, one of the cameras of the system disclosed in the subjectapplication is adjusted to the ball throwing location of the player upin the sky so that the image color can be analyzed to determine whetherthe player has already thrown the ball and the ball has already been hitbeyond the hitting area so as to activate the automatic instant videoreplay function, whereas another or several cameras can providemultiple-angle images. Likewise, the player can set the pre-hit and thepost-hit time (or use the default settings); for example, for the ballpitching practice of the baseball, as the color (grayish white) of thebaseball and the color (yellowish brown) of the baseball glove, or thebatter's palm (yellowish white) or clothes (the batter should avoidwearing grayish white clothes) can be differentiated from each other.Consequently only one camera of the system disclosed in the presentapplication is adjusted to the area at which the batter raises his armto pitch the ball so as to determine whether the baseball has alreadybeen thrown based on the image color analysis so as to activate theinstant automatic replay function. For example, the service of tabletennis ball follows the similar practice. For example, for the specificpostures (such as triple loop jump) of figure skating, as it isdifficult for the ice skaters to recognize the fault in their posture,if the technology disclosed in the present application is used, then onecamera is adjusted to the indoor rink at which the skater jumps, andwhen the skater glides into the frame, then the image color analysissoftware can determine whether the skater has already glided inside thevideo recording area based on the data (all white before the skaterglides into the area; additional colors shown for the ice-skates andclothes after the skater has glided into the area) so as to start theautomatic video replay to fully record the motion of the skater. Tofacilitate viewing, the computer, keys, and screen display of thepresent invention can be placed near the location at which the skaterhas already finished a specific motion. Likewise, the ice skater can set(or use default settings) the recording time after gliding into thejumping area. To take the different application fields and the users'habits into account, the present application separately allows the usersto adjust the settings in the settings window of the software for thelag time for automatic replay. Taking the indoor golf swing practice asan example, once the image color analysis software detects that the ballhas already been hit, it continues to record the subsequent motion(ranging from 1.5 to 3 seconds; can be adjusted by the player) after theball has been hit. Then if there is no lag, then instantly retrieve thecomplete swing motion before and after the ball has been hit from thememory for video replay. However sometimes the golfer is used to standfor a while after the follow-through and then view the replay frameagain. Consequently, under these two conditions, its replay lag timediffers and should be set by the user on his own. The other sports canalso have the requirement of a replay lag time. Like the other settings,this setting can be adjusted in the settings window of the software oncethe computer is started.

Concluding the different sports applications of the above-mentionedsystem disclosed in the present application, the following points can besummarized (Please refer to Table 1 and FIG. 8 for details) and then thewidely applicable hard disk and technology can be explained in terms ofthe description in Table 1.

(1) Time & Motion Trigger Point: This is a point selected from therepetitive motions starting from the time at which recording andautomatic replay are intended to be taken and the instantaneous time istaken as the trigger point for recording and replay. For example, inTable 1, the trigger point of the golf swing motion is the “point atwhich the ball has been hit” in the golf; the trigger point for servingthe tennis ball is “the point at which the tennis ball has been hit” inthe tennis; the trigger point of the baseball batter is “the point atwhich the baseball has been pitched” in the baseball; the trigger pointof the table tennis service practice is “the point at which the tabletennis ball has been hit”; the trigger point of the triple loop jump ofthe figure skating is “the point at which the skater glides into thejump area.” The repetition motion of the other similar spoils can alsotake the trigger point as the specific motion of image colordifferentiation.

(2) The pre-launch motion, subsequent motion and time at the triggerpoint: Once the trigger point has been selected, the system disclosed inthe present application sets the video recording time for the pre-launchpractice and the subsequent motion of the golf swing practice. Forexample as shown in Table 1, the pre-launch motion of the golf swingpractice is the grip, address, back swinging, and down swinging (untilthe hitting area), which generally take 1.5 to 3 seconds overall whereasthe subsequent motion is the post-hit launch, follow through, and theviewing of carry and trajectory for outdoor practice, which generallytakes 1.5 to 5 seconds; the pre-launch motion of the tennis is the grip,ball throwing, and patting (until the teeing ground is reached), whichgenerally takes 1 to 2 seconds, and the other subsequent motion is thepost-hit pat, follow-through, and viewing that the ball has hit theground, which generally takes 2 to 4 seconds; the pre-launch motion ofthe baseball pitching practice is the grip, ball raising, and throwing(till the ball leaves the batter's glove), which generally takes 2˜3seconds; the post-launch motion of the baseball pitching practice is thesubsequent motion after the baseball has left the glove and the viewingthat the baseball has fallen into the glove of the catcher, whichgenerally takes 2 to 3 seconds; the pre-launch motion of table tennis isthe upward throwing and patting the ball (until the ball has been hit),which generally takes approximately 1˜2 seconds whereas the subsequentmotion is the subsequent motion after the ball has been hit and the viewof the location at which the ball has fallen and its effects, whichgenerally takes 1 to 2 seconds; the pre-launch motion of the triple loopjump of the figure ice skating is flexing and speeding, which generallytakes 0.5 to 1 second, whereas the subsequent motion is the jump, teeingto the ground, and the subsequent gliding motion, which generally takes1 to 2 seconds. The other similar sports follow the same principle todetermine the pre-launch and subsequent motion.

(3) Install one commonly visible ray camera (such as CCD or CMOS camera)near the players to catch the continuous frames at the time and motiontrigger point and then periodically draw out the frames to check if aspecific area (or a complete frame) is analyzed based on the colorparameters (international standard colors such as RGB, HSB, andGrayscale) and then to determine whether the trigger point has alreadybeen activated.

(4) Separately install one or a plurality of visible ray cameras nearthe players (selectively) and the camera is used to catch themultiple-angle frames of the above-mentioned pre-launch and thesubsequent motion.

(5) Store the digitalized images from different cameras into the memoryand then display them on the screen; if there is a plurality of cameras,then it is possible to partition the screen into several regions todisplay multiple continuous frames. This function is known as “mirrormode.” If the size of the memory of the computer is not sufficient oralready full, then new images can be used to replace the memory taken bythe old images. In this way, one or a plurality of complete motions canbe repetitively stored.

(6) When the image color analysis software checks that the motion at thetrigger point has already been activated, then the computer system willretrieve the pre-launch, the trigger point, and the subsequent motionfrom the memory and replay them on the screen. Afterwards, the computerreturns to the original mirror mode once the replay is completed. Inthis way, this series of motions repeats. Pre-launch Motion SubsequentArea at which the Time & Motion & Time at the Motion & Time at Camerahas been Sport Application Trigger Point Trigger Point the Trigger PointInstalled Golf swing The ball has been Grip, the address, The post-hitlaunch, At least one camera hit the back swing, the follow-through, andadjusted to the down swing (until the viewing the hitting area (golf theball has been carry and the mat); the other hit), which trajectory inindoor cameras adjusted to generally takes practice, which the side orother approximately 1.5 generally takes 1.5 angles of the golfer to 3seconds to 5 seconds Tennis Service The bal has been hit Grip, throwing,and Post-hit pat, At least one camera Patting (until the follow-through,and adjusted to the ball has been hit), viewing the ball has hittingarea and the which generally hit the ground, players; the other takes 1to 2 seconds which generally cameras adjusted to takes 2 to 4 secondsthe side or other angles of the player Baseball Pitching The ball hasbeen Grip, raising the The subsequent At least one camera hit arm tothrow the motion at which the adjusted to the ball, and throwing ballleaves the hitting area and the the ball (until the glove, and viewingplayers; the other ball leaves the that the ball has hit camerasadjusted to glove), which the ground, which the side or other generallytakes 2˜3 generally takes 2˜3 angles of the player seconds seconds TableTennis The ball has been Upward throwing, The post-hit At least onecamera Throwing hit patting, and hitting subsequent motion adjusted tothe (until the ball has and viewing that hitting area and the been hit),which the ball has hit the players; the other generally takes 1˜2 tableand its effect, cameras adjusted to seconds which generally the side orother takes 1˜2 seconds angles of the player Triple Loop Jump Glidinginto the Flex and Jump, teeing the At least one camera of Figure IceJump Area acceleration; which floor, and adjusted to the rink; Skatinggenerally takes 0.5 subsequent gliding, the other cameras to 1 secondwhich generally adjusted to the takes 1˜2 seconds different angles ofthe skater and the subsequent gliding area of the triple loop jump

The system of the present invention is composed of a computer, which canbe but is not limited to common desktops or portable lap computers,which consist of software and hardware, which are used to digitalize,store, analyze, and display the images transmitted from the cameras,which can be but not limited to common visible ray CCD or CMOS camerasor portable V 8 cameras, which are used to record the motions of theplayers and then transmit these images to the computer wherein thedisplay can be but not be limited to common LCD, digitalized television(HDTV), and CRT (cathode ray tube), wherein the control keyboard can bebut not be limited to common computer keyboard, soft press, andstart/power, which is used to transmit the control signals to thecomputer and cameras so as to monitor the apparatus system of thepresent invention; the memory can be but not be limited to common RAM,compact flash, fixed hard disk, and portable hard disk.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, the present disclosure has been made by way of exampleand changes in details of structure may be made without departing fromthe spirit thereof.

1. An instant automatic video replay system for recording and instantlyreplaying motion images, comprising: (a) a time and motion triggerpoint, capable of placing a golf ball on it and to be used as a pointfor receiving an impact force onto the golf ball; (b) a camera,installed near said time and motion trigger point, and adjusted to saidpoint so as to acquire motion images of balls such as golf ball andplayers; (c) a computerized image analysis and storing system, connectedto said camera and then process, analyze and store the images caught bysaid camera; (d) a display, connected to said computer system to displaythe images of said camera or the images analyzed by or stored in saidcomputer; (e) a control panel, connected to said computer system so asto monitor said computer system and said camera; wherein saidcomputerized image analysis and storing apparatus periodically analyzesthe image frames of said computerized image analysis and storingapparatus and then determines whether said time and motion trigger pointhas already been activated; if the time and motion trigger point has notyet been activated, then said display displays current images of saidtime and motion trigger point and the player; if the time and motiontrigger point has already been activated, then said computer systemretrieves the complete motions of the players (consisting of thepre-hit, hit, and post-hit motion in the golfing) from the memory ofsaid computer and then displays them on the display; if said images havebeen completely displayed, then the display returns to said time andmotion trigger point and the current images of the player.
 2. Theinstant automatic video replay system as claimed in claim 1, wherein thenumber of cameras can be increased from one to multiple so as tosimultaneously catch, analyze, store, and display the images of theplayer's motions at different positions and directions.
 3. The instantautomatic video replay system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a controlpanel can separately provide an “Instant Replay” key to replay themotions already stored in the memory and a “Slow Replay” key to replaythe motions already stored in the memory at a reduced speed, a “SaveSwing” key to store images into the harddisk and a “Create CD” key tostore images into CD.
 4. The instant automatic video replay system asclaimed in claim 2, wherein said camera can be installed near the playerto catch the continuous frames of said time and motion trigger point andperiodically extract the frames from them to check the analysis of aspecific area (or the whole frame), and, in accordance with the analysisof international standard color parameters such as RGB, HSB, andGrayscale, to determine whether the motion at said time and motiontrigger point has already been activated.
 5. The instant automatic videoreplay system as claimed in claim 2, wherein one or a plurality ofcameras can selectively be installed near the player to catch themultiple-angle frames of pre-launch and subsequent motions at said timeand motion trigger point.
 6. The instant automatic video replay systemas claimed in claim 1, wherein the digitalized images of a plurality ofcameras are stored into the memory of said computer and then displayedon said display; if there are a plurality of cameras, then the screencan be divided into multiple regions to display multiple continuousframes, and if the size of the memory of said computer is not sufficientor is full, then the new images will replace the memory taken by the oldimages so that one or multiple complete motions are repetitively stored.7. The instant automatic video replay system as claimed in claim 1,wherein when the image color analyzing software finds that the motion atsaid time and motion trigger point has already been activated, then theimages of the pre-launch, trigger point, and subsequent motion will beretrieved from the memory of said computer and replayed on said displayuntil the replay is completed, then afterwards, the computer returns tothe original state, and then the cycle continues.
 8. An instantautomatic video replay system for recording and instant and automaticreplay of motion images is composed of: (a) a hitting area, on which agolf ball can be placed; (b) a camera, installed near said hitting areaand adjusted to said hitting area to catch the swing images of the golfball and the golfers. (c) a computerized image analysis and storingapparatus, connected to said camera to process, analyze and store theimages caught by said camera; (d) a display, connected to said computersystem to display the images from said cameras or the images analyzed byor stored in said computer; (e) a control panel, connected to saidcomputer system to monitor said computer system and camera(s); whereinsaid computerized image analysis and storing apparatus periodicallyanalyzes the image frames stored in the computerized image analysis andstoring apparatus based on colors and then determines whether the golfball placed in said hitting area has already been hit; if the golf ballhas not yet been hit, then said display displays current images of saidhitting area and the golfer; if the golf ball has already been hit, thensaid computer system retrieves the complete swing motion (including thepre-hit, hit, and post-hit motion) of the golfer from the memory andthen displays them on the display until the display of these images iscompleted such that afterwards, the computer returns to the currentimages of said hitting and the golfer's swing motion.
 9. The instantautomatic video replay system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the numberof cameras can be increased from one to multiple to simultaneouslycatch, analyze, store, and display the swing motions of the golfers atdifferent locations and directions.
 10. The instant automatic videoreplay system as claimed in claim 8, wherein a control panel canseparately provide an “Instant Replay” key to replay the motions alreadystored in the memory, a “Slow Replay” key to replay the motions alreadystored in the memory at a reduced speed, and a “Save Swing” key to storeimages into the harddisk, and a “Create CD” key to store images into CD.